‘I liked the records he made. They have a difference’, says Starr about the reclusive grandson of Hank Williams, who mixes country with heavy metal
The new album by Ringo Starr, Look Upmarks the former Beatles drummer’s return to his love of country music, especially classic country. “I like old country, old style, and that’s what we have.”he said to Rolling Stone in a new interview.
But Starr also surprised us by revealing that he’s a fan of the eclectic country artist responsible for songs like “Hellbilly,” “Mississippi Mud” and “Crazed Country Rebel.”
“Just to mess with everyone’s minds in Nashville: How’s Hank 3?”Starr asks, referring to Hank Williams IIIgrandson of Hank Williamswho mixed heavy metal with outlaw country on a series of albums from Risin’ Outlawfrom 1999. After releasing two albums in 2013 — the country album Brothers of the 4×4 and the punk project The Fiendish Threat —, Williams disappeared from the spotlight.
“I liked the records he made. They have a difference”says Starr. “I started with Hank first, passed Hank second and got to third.” (Hank 3 is the son of Hank Williams Jr.)
Starr likes to talk about “differentiating” when discussing the type of artists he prefers, including the vocalist he cites as his all-time favorite: Kitty Wells. “God bless her. I loved her because she had a difference.”he says, mentioning other singers and composers with a remarkable style. “We all ended up loving Waylon — he was truly a rock-country star — and we all love Willie to this day.”
While recording Look Up with the producer T Bone BurnettStarr worked with a new crop of landmark artists, including the blues-rock duo Larkin Poethe bluegrass innovator Molly Tuttle and the virtuoso guitarist Billy Strings. “Molly has a great voice, and Billy is an incredible guitarist.”says Starr. “Someone told me that he [tocava] heavy metal before. I never heard that part.”
Some of these artists are expected to participate in Starr’s upcoming shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on January 14 and 15, which will be recorded for future broadcast. “We’re going to do a live show and I’m excited because I want to hear ‘A Little Help From My Friends’ in a country style.”says Starr. “And ‘Octopus’s Garden’, of course.”
This article is a translation from the American Rolling Stone, written by Joseph Hudak and published on January 11, 2025. Read the original version here.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
